Icing on the cake

Buckingham Palace

Garden Cafe

Cakes with ER logo

Us in gardens at Buckingham Palace

Nice view

Waving goodbye to Nelson and London

It’s Saturday, which means its shopping day. But first we detour to Buckingham Palace as the state rooms are open today. Well the lines are miles long but the palace knows how to run events with precision. We are ushered through and enter the palace via the Ambassador Gate and the Grand entrance at our appointed time. Onto the quadrangle and then arrive in the first of the lush rooms, the Green Drawing Room, gilded and set with florets, decorated with paintings, chandeliers and 17^th century furniture it is a sight to behold. The tour goes on and on though the throne room, picture gallery, music room and much more. It is all exquisite and very practical how the rooms are arranged for people to enter and leave. We have an audio guide that gives excellent commentary on the function and history of the rooms.

It is the most amazing palace and to see this on my last tourist day just tops off a wonderful trip. But wait there’s more, time for lunch at the garden café. Jane had heard that the café was good, well good is an understatement the food is exceptional, especially the cakes. We thoroughly enjoy our garden tea at the palace.

Then guess what, surprise, surprise there is a gift shop. More shopping. Then onto the gardens. What an event.

Back to familiar territory now, I will pine for being at Covent Garden on a Saturday, there is so much hustle, bustle and excitement. A few more shops conquered and then we explore Cecil Court.

Its time to retrace our very steps from the first Saturday. We go past the National Gallery, see Trafalgar Square and wave goodbye to Nelson. Then home for plaice and champage, or was that Champagne and plaice? 

Finally after many nights of cloud I see the North Star. Tick.